BEIJING - Vice Premier Hui Liangyu on Thursday met with Jean-Luc Baucherel, chairman of French agricultural insurance company Groupama, in Beijing.

"China attaches great importance to its relations with France," said Hui, recalling three successful meetings between President Hu Jintao and French President Nicolas Sarkozy since last year.

Hui said China will continue to reform and open itself up, as well as speed up the development of agriculture and rural areas in general, both of which are currently viewed by the government as a national priority.

Hui said he hopes cooperation between Groupama and Chinese companies will result in the achievement of mutual benefit and contribute to the advancement of Sino-France relations.

Groupama attaches great importance to the Chinese market and has gained positive headway in China, Baucherel said, adding that the company is willing to play a positive role in promoting bilateral cooperation.

China Insurance Regulatory Commission (CIRC) Chairman Xiang Junbo also attended the meeting.

Established in 1900, Groupama is France's largest agricultural insurance company.